Gum Disease Is a Warning Sign

Gum disease is one of the most visible signs of diabetes. Diabetes can double or triple your risk of gum disease, if it’s not properly controlled, as is likely if you are currently undiagnosed. When we look at your gums and notice signs of gum disease, such as:

Red, inflamed gums

Bleeding gums

Receding gums

Gum soreness

Loose or mobile teeth

Bite changes’

Changes in denture fit

We will talk about oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and other factors that may be contributing to gum disease. If you are doing what you’re supposed to do, but gum disease continues to worsen, we will suspect diabetes.

Gum Disease Makes Diabetes Worse

But gum disease isn’t just a sign or symptom of diabetes, it plays an active role in making diabetes worse. People with gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar, and gum disease contributes to secondary health conditions linked to diabetes, such as kidney disease and heart disease.

The overall impact is that people with gum disease and diabetes are more likely to suffer serious complications. Treating gum disease may reduce the risk of hospitalization for diabetes complications by 39%, and reduce the costs of treating diabetes by 40%.

Because of the close link between these two conditions, making regular dental visits is a great way to detect undiagnosed diabetes, monitor your diabetes, and help treat it. If you are looking for a Los Gatos dentist who is concerned with the overall health of your body–not just your teeth, please call for an appointment at Top Down Dental.